Croatia will receive eight Blackhawk helicopters after signing an agreement with the US, state media reported. Balkan countries are seeking to strengthen their military forces after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Croatia has been a NATO member since 2009 and has also donated some of its arsenal to Ukraine, including Soviet-era helicopters.
"This is a big and important moment for the armed forces and for all of Croatia, and also a confirmation of the partnership and excellent cooperation with the US," Defense Minister Ivan Anusic said, according to the state-backed Hina news agency.
The eight Blackhawks will be delivered in 2028, the media reported.
In 2021, Croatia signed an order with France for 12 used Rafale fighter jets, the largest arms order made by Zagreb since the war of independence in the 1990s.
The deal for the helicopters follows a similar agreement reached between Albania and Washington, with Tirana receiving two Blackhawk helicopters in January.
At the end of last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with several Balkan leaders in the Albanian capital, Tirana.
He asked for more support to help repel Russian forces and also discussed potential cooperation in the joint production of defense products. /BGNES
